The River and the Lion

"After the great rains, the lion was faced with crossing the river that had encircled him. Swimming was not in his nature, but it was either cross or die.

The lion roared and charged the river, almost drowning before he retreated. Many more times he attacked the water, and each time he failed to cross.

Exhausted, the lion lay down, and in his quietness he heard the river say, "Never fight what isn't here."

Cautiously, the lion looked up and asked, "What isn't here?"

"Your enemy isn't here," answered the river. "Just as you are a lion, I am merely a river."

Now the lion sat very still and studied the ways of the river. After a while, he walked to where a certain current brushed against the shore, and stepping in, floated to the other side."

Is there something you are fighting? 

Take a moment to pause, quieten and study the situation. You may find that there is nothing to fight.

Source : "The little book of Letting Go"   by Hugh Prather